New Cables DIY-er: Quite A Few Clarifications (But Please Don't Be Discouraged to Help)

I've recently gotten the urge to start doing audio DIY.

The projects I have in mind right now include recabling an old pair of ksc75 which I've recently started using again. These things are just begging for it with such easy access to the solder points.

After using that as some basic practice I'm hoping to swap out the Artlink cable on my AD700's. I'll take the old cable and reterminate with a minijack on the end so I'll have an extra patch cable lying around. Also, my Creative Aurvana Live cable has always seemed very flimsy >_> so that might be something I'll look into also.

Soldering Iron: The problem is I really don't know what materials to use. To be honest I don't even have a soldering iron right now (looking to buy this one http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009ZD2AG/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER).

Solder:  For audio is 97 sn, 2.5 ag, .5 cu what I'm going for? And is that standard for consumer solder (common enough to be picked up at Lowes, Home Depot, etc) or would I have to order it online?

Cable: Mogami is a little more than I wanna spend on beginner projects and I still can't find a decent place to buy <50'. Are navships' cables on eBay good enough to replace the Artlink cable? I know it'll definitely kick stock ksc75's butt. If you have any recommendations please just link me, I really don't understand gauge and it's relation to thickness or any of that enough to shop for myself. I'm open to other places to buy also, but I'm definitely on a budget so I'm hoping not to spend more than ~$30 on cable.

Plugs: It seems Neutrik plugs are the standard fare. I came across these http://www.daleproaudio.com/showproduct.aspx?ProductID=4078&SEName=neutrik-nys231bg-35mm-trs-stereo-plug-blackgold, any good? Was actually hoping for a silver/chrome looking shell rather than black, but beggars can't be choosers, eh?

Heatshrink: 2:1 for strain relief at the plugs and 3:1 adhesive for a y-split, correct?

Sheathing: For the KSC75's because it is a Y split I'll be sheathing the braided part before the split. For the AD700's I want to do a basic nylon monofilament sheath on the replacement cable. Does it have any effects on dampening microphonics and reducing tangle?

AND FINALLY.....a few conceptual questions:

How exactly does the wiring work? Ground? Left +/- Right +/- ?

Are navships' cables single strands that are braided together so 1 is left, another is right?

What exactly do i solder inside the plug? Do I need a multimeter also for this project?

Am I stupid? :P

Lil' Knight, the pricing on non-bulk mogami actually isn't that bad on Redco, might consider it after all.

So what happens at the y-split will be that I strip the outer shielding and sleeve and braid the 2 sets of 2 cables going into each ear?

What are the consequences of a short if I don't use a multimeter? How am I suppose to interpret/know if there's a short? Ahhh I thought I did a lot of background reading, but a lot of common sense electronics DIY just isn't common sense to me

And thanks mono for the link, lot of good stuff in the thread :)

Anyone there still? haha

I'm a little to late on the soldering iron station. It's out of stock and I've already ordered the weller one from amazon.

The Redco branded quad cable got here today. The guage is way to thick for the sleeve, will have to strip the rubber sleeve on top of the shielding which I'll keep I guess in order to feed it through.